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What Causes Pain In The Shoulder Blade And Chest While Having Severe Cough?
Question: Hello I have had the flu for 7 weeks. It is now a dry cough that is giving me terrible pain in my left shoulder blade and left side chest. I am still bringing up green phlegm periodically. I have completed 3 lots of antibiotics. Is it just muscle strain from coughing? With thanks for your advice.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The pain in your shoulder and chest could be from a few different things:
1. Muscular strain, as you suggested - can be figured out with physical exam.
2. A fractured rib from coughing - can usually be seen on X-ray.
3. Inflammation of the lining of the lungs - can be heard on listening with a stethoscope.
I recommend going in to have a doctor examine you in person. The doctor can assess whether the pain is in the chest wall versus deeper. It would also be wise to get a chest X-ray to make sure there isn't a fracture and that your lungs are clear.
I also advise a strong cough suppressant such as something that includes codeine. Narcotics like codeine are not only pain reducers, but also are best medications for suppressing coughs.
If your flu-like illness is gradually getting better, then treatment for the pain you are describing, and suppression of the cough may be enough. It may have been viral rather than bacterial, which would explain why antibiotics did not eliminate it. But if the overall illness is not resolving, then that should be looked into too.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The pain in your shoulder and chest could be from a few different things:
1. Muscular strain, as you suggested - can be figured out with physical exam.
2. A fractured rib from coughing - can usually be seen on X-ray.
3. Inflammation of the lining of the lungs - can be heard on listening with a stethoscope.
I recommend going in to have a doctor examine you in person. The doctor can assess whether the pain is in the chest wall versus deeper. It would also be wise to get a chest X-ray to make sure there isn't a fracture and that your lungs are clear.
I also advise a strong cough suppressant such as something that includes codeine. Narcotics like codeine are not only pain reducers, but also are best medications for suppressing coughs.
If your flu-like illness is gradually getting better, then treatment for the pain you are describing, and suppression of the cough may be enough. It may have been viral rather than bacterial, which would explain why antibiotics did not eliminate it. But if the overall illness is not resolving, then that should be looked into too.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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